GEP 2012 - Screening & Selection
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Freshmint:
My DS has little parental help (actually he doesn't want our involvement at all) but he has Chinese tuition throughout his 3 years in GEP (started from P1). He loves SS, so it was great he could study that subject indepth.
I do share you view on the first para.jershejos:
GEP in Singapore is an academic program, from my point of view, is a program that throw the kids into reality much earlier as they needs to do things at high ability, high speed, independently as well as cohesively as a group.
I would think a kid with very strong character will be able to survive better than the norm kids nowadays that depends a lot on parents/tutors.
However, I have yet to hear of a high performing GEPper who has no enrichments/tuitions or parental help. Can anyone shed some light?
My DS is not a high performing GEPer (otherwise you will see him in the newspapers for PSLE), but he continued to score 90s to full marks for both maths & science (from P4-6). No tuition in these 2 subjects, not even parental guidance coz he knows much more & is more well-read in those subjects than I do. If the teacher marks him wrong for questions he thinks is ambiguously phrased, he can go and argue his case and get back his lost marks :slapshead: .
His languages are not stellar. It was obvious that he is not a language person. Too expect him to do well in all subjects is unrealistic so I cut him some slack. Chinese tuition, he has always had (I kiasu lah, this tuition is to ensure Chinese does not pull down his aggregate score). For English, he was on his own. He reads a lot but the results do not always reflect that. But I saw his English improved by leaps and bounds over the years - I think I saw the most dramatic improvement in P6, when he got a super duper English teacher. It was through this that I realised getting a dedicated teacher makes a whole world of difference to a child.
My DS is fiercely independent and knows that he wants to take up the challenge at P3 though at the time I was still doubtful if he is of GE calibre (he does not rank among the top in cohort and also not the hardworking type). So to me, 9 yo isn't too young to make a decision, esp if they are mature (that's why they have to sign that MOE paper to show their commitment). In retrospect, I think that if they can make the cut, we parents don't have to worry too much. I would say my DS' GEP journey was a smooth sailing one. -
Oh finally GEP had over!
DS was told that Maths paper was tough and GA II as easy as GAI. DS was felt so upset and telling me that his wish seemed gone.........:( Hmmm
I was telling him that he is the best, least he went thru 1st round. Isn't? Let's us give our little ones a \"Thumbs Up\". Yeah!
\"Kids, you are the best\"!!!!!!
In the earlier thread someone have mentioned GEP more in \"High IQ Test\". Yes, I really agreed.
Oh regarding prep GEP. My personal think not so healthy to prepare not mean tt my DS are super good. Why need to drill, studies and stress? If really kid been select as GEP mean in the furture kids have to keep drill and tuition in the future? Well, unless he or she is a genius? Sorry, to said is not apply on my DS. LOL!
I believed our kids had alrdy done their best. Why not, we just let this tough task hang over to God's. And now, is god's duties to headache. hahaha!
It is easy to said. LOL!
our littles ones are gifted by God's. God's may have plan and always the best for them. No one knows what will be in the future.
today, 1st day school reopened and last day of the school as well. hahaha!
Weekends soon! Prepartion for SA2. Isn't?
Oh maybe some schools their SA2 alrdy over but unfortunately not apply on my DS. hahaha! -
Fresco:
Im not sure what are being taught or at what level they are teaching to the gep kids n etc...oni know they are very busy with project, alot of work, standard are high and other general scary info :yikes: . So, its like stepping into an unknown dark world...base on what to judge if my kid is suitable for gep pgm? To me, he is like a normal kid to me. :? It will be a dilemma for me if he gt selected.I think the word 'gifted' is not an appropriate word to use for this so-called GEP. This word has definitely been blown out of proportions by most people since this programme has been implemented. Throughout the years it has added on unnecessary stress and anxieties to parents and students alike. If the child has much higher abilities in learning compared to the regular students, then he/she will make the cut for the programme and should be able to cope given his/her capabilities. MOE will not put them through what they cannot attain or endure. If that is so, then what's the purpose of the GEP programme. Those who struggle are the ones who do not really have the cut for GEP but somehow get selected due to various reasons like going for GEP prep classes whereby you are given a headstart to advance learning or the child has done unexpectedly well for the selection test by mere guess works.
Anyway only 500 children will be selected, so the remaining 2500 children or so may be spared the 'agony' and 'uncertainties' of going through the GEP, and taking the route less travelled in the course of their education.
If your child has the cut for the GEP, by all means accept it as he /she will be a much happier child because they are created uniquely with special talents and will certainly rise up to the challenges of the GEP. It is simply because they have the capacity for greater things in life. -
I would say go for GEP if selected provided your child is willing to take up the challenge. Don’t worry about tuition, he/she might not need it to achieve 80%.
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Lock:
Dats my sentiment too!So, what wld be the choice?
To go to GEP (if selected) but hv to fall back on tuition to remain in 85-90% std or remain in mainstream where there's no need to hv tuition and still can achieve 85-90% in mainstream. -
FireflyMom:
What if my kid enjoyed having enrichment? Do I then force her to play so that IMO and in my own terms, she can have a fun childhood?Lilac66:
[quote=\"jtoh\"]If life revolved around being a top student and studies and tuition, wouldn't that be really sad and uni-dimensional?
my sentiments totally!! What kind of fond childhood memories will the kids have when they reach adulthood. Will it be one that is filled only with tight schedules of tuition and non-stop mugging?
I'm thankful for a childhood that was colourful, filled with lots of fun and laughter.
[/quote]No. In everything there are exceptions... If your child enjoys enrichment, then why not? In this case,her idea of fun childhood memories will be when she gets to learn much more in-depth things that interest her. Stuff that she probably will not get to learn in school.
I'm sure there are children like that. Their parents will probably need to do less when they're older as these kids already have that innate interest for acquiring more knowledge. -
pokemon:
On the whole... parents of GEP-pers tend to be happier with the educational system than parents of non-GEPpers? Given that GEP-pers form only 1% of the total cohort, they cannot be funding the tuition industry's bottom-line all by themselves. The bulk of tuition industry's customers come from mainstream... largely because classes are too large for individual attention... and learning resources are scarce... and since each school is in charge of its own curriculum, you can get REALLY LOUSY curriculum depending on the school you are in. GEP branch at MOE does GEP curriculum and so there is some quality assurance.
Dats my sentiment too!Lock:
So, what wld be the choice?
To go to GEP (if selected) but hv to fall back on tuition to remain in 85-90% std or remain in mainstream where there's no need to hv tuition and still can achieve 85-90% in mainstream.
Don't diss the GEP if your child has a chance to get in. Classes are smaller. Curriculum is engaging. For some kids who are really really HUNGRY for intellectual stimulation, GEP is a necessity. You would do your child a disservice to deny him access. There really are some kids who thirst to learn esoteric obscure knowledge that GEP gives exposure too. If your child falls into this category, don't deny him the chance to have some fun just because you have some prejudices... or other parents through hearsay... have built your prejudices.
No harm to try... and if your child hates it for some reason, then go back to mainstream? Of course, people will gossip about this GEPper who couldn't make it blah blah blah... but those are only words (and only reflect poorly on whomever said it). If your child has been selected, don't let mere words prevent you and your child from foregoing an opportunity to access high quality teaching and a fun curriculum. Try it for yourself... don't depend on hearsay and make preconceived assumptions. -
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Chenonceau:
On the whole... parents of GEP-pers tend to be happier with the educational system than parents of non-GEPpers? Given that GEP-pers form only 1% of the total cohort, they cannot be funding the tuition industry's bottom-line all by themselves. The bulk of tuition industry's customers come from mainstream... largely because classes are too large for individual attention... and learning resources are scarce... and since each school is in charge of its own curriculum, you can get REALLY LOUSY curriculum depending on the school you are in. GEP branch at MOE does GEP curriculum and so there is some quality assurance.
Dats my sentiment too!pokemon:
[quote=\"Lock\"]So, what wld be the choice?
To go to GEP (if selected) but hv to fall back on tuition to remain in 85-90% std or remain in mainstream where there's no need to hv tuition and still can achieve 85-90% in mainstream.
Don't diss the GEP if your child has a chance to get in. Classes are smaller. Curriculum is engaging. For some kids who are really really HUNGRY for intellectual stimulation, GEP is a necessity. You would do your child a disservice to deny him access. There really are some kids who thirst to learn esoteric obscure knowledge that GEP gives exposure too. If your child falls into this category, don't deny him the chance to have some fun just because you have some prejudices... or other parents through hearsay... have built your prejudices.
No harm to try... and if your child hates it for some reason, then go back to mainstream? Of course, people will gossip about this GEPper who couldn't make it blah blah blah... but those are only words (and only reflect poorly on whomever said it). If your child has been selected, don't let mere words prevent you and your child from foregoing an opportunity to access high quality teaching and a fun curriculum. Try it for yourself... don't depend on hearsay and make preconceived assumptions.[/quote]Yes, at least still can always go back to mainstream. when ds heard getting in gep will be studying social study, he was very excited coz he has read p3-6 social study textbk and was pretty bored by it but he chanced upon the secondary sch social study textbk in bookshop, he as enthralled by it, keep asking me question...which sorry...i cant answ. :slapshead: -
pokemon:
Yes, at least still can always go back to mainstream. when ds heard getting in gep will be studying social study, he was very excited coz he has read p3-6 social study textbk and was pretty bored by it but he chanced upon the secondary sch social study textbk in bookshop, he as enthralled by it, keep asking me question...which sorry...i cant answ. :slapshead:
All the best! May your DS get in. I wish mine had.
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